Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced at the 2023 National Day Rally that the government will implement a new HDB flat policy in the second half of next year. Under the new policy, singles will be able to purchase 2-room Build-to-Order (BTO) flats in all locations across Singapore, including Standard, Plus, and Prime locations.
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New Policy to be Implemented in the Second Half of 2024
The Ministry of National Development (MND) and the Housing & Development Board (HDB) subsequently stated in a joint release that in addition to allowing eligible first-timer singles to apply for 2-room Flexi BTO flats in all locations, the new policy will also permit eligible singles to purchase 2-room Prime flats on the resale market, or Standard and Plus flats of any size—with the exception of 3-Generation (3Gen) units.
Currently, HDB flats are classified into mature and non-mature estates. Eligible first-timer singles aged 35 and above can only apply for 2-room Flexi flats in 12 non-mature estates such as Choa Chu Kang, Jurong East, and Woodlands. Singles are unable to purchase BTO flats in mature estates like the city center, Bedok, Kallang/Whampoa, and Queenstown.
First-timer singles must not have previously received any housing subsidies and are subject to a monthly income ceiling of S$7,000. They also must not have owned any private residential property in the 30 months prior to their flat application.
A New Era, New Circumstances—A More Inclusive Housing Policy
As more people choose to remain single, they also wish to own their own homes and have more options. Over the years, policy changes have been reflecting and adapting to the evolving lifestyles and life choices of the populace.
Back in 1991, singles aged 35 and above were allowed to buy HDB flats on the resale market. Initially, the flat types they could purchase were limited to 3-room or smaller flats in designated locations. In 1998, the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Housing Grant was extended to cover singles for the first time.
In 2004, singles were permitted to buy 4-room and larger resale flats in all locations. However, they were not allowed to purchase 3-Generation (3Gen) resale flats, which cater to the housing needs of large families.
It was not until 2013 that singles could purchase BTO flats from HDB. However, they were limited to applying for new 2-room flats in non-mature estates.
Earlier this year, singles purchasing a resale flat for the first time received a higher CPF Housing Grant. The maximum grant for 4-room and smaller flats was increased from S$25,000 to S$40,000. The grant for 5-room flats was raised from S$20,000 to S$25,000.
Changing times still present new, unresolved issues for singles. Singles also need the opportunity to apply for flats in mature estates, which would allow them to live closer to and more easily care for their aging parents.
The Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) model, introduced in November 2021, brought public housing to prime locations previously dominated by high-end private condominiums that only the wealthy could afford. At that time, singles were restricted from buying PLH flats, whether new BTOs from HDB or units from the resale market.
The new policy in 2024 will classify HDB flats into Standard, Plus, and Prime categories based on their locational attributes. Plus Flats are located in relatively more attractive (“choicer”) locations, such as near MRT stations or the city center. These flats will have a Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) of 10 years and stricter resale conditions, with resale buyers also being subject to an income ceiling. Plus flats are not as centrally located as Prime flats (“choicest”) but are more desirable than Standard flats. Therefore, the restrictions for Plus flats are not as stringent as those for Prime flats but are stricter than for Standard flats.
Below is an overview of the three HDB flat classifications under the new framework:
| Category | Definition | Subsidies | Restrictions |
| Standard Flats | Flats in regular locations across the island | Eligible for standard housing grants |
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| Plus Flats | Flats in better locations with more convenient transport | Eligible for more housing grants |
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| Prime Flats | Flats in the most prime locations, closest to the city center | Eligible for the highest housing grants |
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